Alps Traverse: Munich to Venice

• Train Transfer: 2-2.5 hours

Munich to Füssen

On this Alps hiking tour, we meet at the Aloft Hotel lobby near the Munich central train station (Hauptbahnhof). After some short introductions and an orientation meeting, we’ll go for a guided city tour of Munich including a lunch in a Biergarten. In the afternoon we’ll board a train to the medieval city of Füssen. From this beautiful Bavarian town we have a short transfer to our accommodations, then free time to explore. After we’ve enjoyed the city and shaken out our legs, we’ll meet for our first dinner to celebrate the start of our Alps Traverse!

• Hiking Distance: 9 mi (15 km)
• Elevation Gain: 590 ft (180 m)
• Elevation Loss: 3576 ft (1090 m)
• Trekking Duration: 4.5-5 hours
• Vehicle Transfer: 30 minutes (after hike)

Füssen to Hohenschwangau to Füssen

Today will start with a public bus transfer to the Tegelberg cable car station where we’ll take the cable car up to the summit. Once we’ve reached the top, we’ll get our first view of the Alps. We’ll then walk down to Hohenschwangau which affords us views of the elegant Ammergau massif with it’s amazing ridgelines and limestone needles. Once we’ve passed the Marienbrücke we’ll reach the castle of Neuschwanstein. Here we’ll have a visit before taking a public bus back to Füssen.

*If weather is not favorable for the cable car, we have an alternate itinerary planned.

• Hiking Distance: 7.5 mi (12 km.)
• Elevation Gain: 1640 ft. (500 m.)
• Elevation Loss: 2789 ft. (850 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
• Vehicle Transfers: 45 minutes (before hike) & 15 minutes (after hike)

Kenzenhütte to Ettal

After a European breakfast buffet at the hotel we will begin with a short transfer to the Kenzenhütte. Today we’ll climb over two mountain summits Lösertaljoch (5,518ft/1,682m) & Scheinbergjoch (5,787 ft./1,764 m., optional and weather dependent) with beautiful views into the surrounding mountains and especially into the deep Linderhof Valley. We’ll eventually make our way down to the historic Linderhof Castle. After touring this interesting and beautiful site, we’ll take a short transfer to our awaiting luggage and hotel. Tonight’s accommodations are in Ettal at a charming hotel situated in a classic mountain hamlet.

• Hiking Distance: 11.8 mi (19 km.)
• Elevation Gain: 1640 ft. (500 m.)
• Elevation Loss: 984 ft. (300 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
• Vehicle Transfer: 20 minutes (before hike)
• Train Transfer: 30 minutes (after hike)

Ettal to Mittenwald

This morning we shuttle briefly from Ettal to the famous Olympic city of Garmisch-Partenkirchen sitting at the base of Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze (9,678ft/2,950m). We begin our hike traversing through the spectacular Partnach Gorges. We’ll continue hiking towards the towering grey cliffs of the Wettersteinwand, which creates the natural boundary between Germany and Austria. Beautiful forested trails, mountain scenery and alpine lakes are the highlights along our route to the iconic Bavarian village of Mittenwald, where we settle in for the night.

• Hiking Distance: 7.5 mi (12 km.)
• Elevation Gain: 3117 ft. (950 m.)
• Elevation Loss: 2953 ft. (900 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
• Vehicle Transfer: 15 minutes

Mittenwald to Seefeld

Today starts with a short private vehicle transfer into the scenic Leutasch Valley where we cross the border from Germany to Austria. Our hike takes us up to the Scharnitzjoch pass and is filled with our first views of the outstanding Northern Tyrolean region. The high mountains here are some of the finest in all of the Alps. Our path passes a few mountain refuges along the way which we will stop for a break, some refreshments and to just soak up the amazing views. Post-hike, we’ll take a local bus to Seefeld.

• Optional Hiking Distance: 2 mi (3.2 km)
• Elevation Gain: 250 ft. (80 m.)
• Elevation Loss: 440 ft. (1440 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 1 – 2 hours
• Train Transfer: 40 minutes

Seefeld to Innsbruck

Today is considered a rest day as we’ve come quite a long way in just 6 days, but for those who don’t want a full down day, your guide will have an optional hike for you.

We’ll take the morning train to Innsbruck where there will be plenty of time to explore the old city and to rest and recharge. Take your time exploring Helbing House, the little golden roof, St. Jacques’s Cathedral, and museums such as Hofkirche, to name a few options. We definitely suggest apfelstrudel and coffee for a midday snack, for which the city is known for. Dinner will be on your own tonight; don’t worry, your guide will have great recommendations to offer.

If you choose the optional hike today, you will take to the Nordkettenbahnen cable car to Hafelekarbahn and then we’ll hike a short distance to summit Hafelekarspitze (7,657 ft./2,334 m.) where you can explore the Alpin Zoo and enjoy a picnic lunch provided by your guide. Please note that the cable car fare, which includes the Zoo tickets, is not included, as this is an optional activity. (Aprox. €51)

• Hiking Distance: 6.8 mi (11 km.)
• Elevation Gain: 1969 ft. (600 m.)
• Elevation Loss: 164 ft. (50 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 4-5 hours
• Vehicle Transfer: 1.5 hours (before hike)

Innsbruck to Krimmler Tauernhaus

We’ll have a leisurely morning before our mid-morning transfer through the Zillertal Valley to the start of our hike. We’ll need to carry everything we need for the next 2 days of hiking and 1 overnight. Lunch will be near the trailhead leading to the beautiful Krimml Waterfall. Hiking through the spectacular Krimmler Achental Valley allows us to follow beneath the falls, boasting to be one of Europe’s highest, pouring into the valley at over 1,245ft/380m high above us! Tonight’s accommodations are in a beautifully situated mountain hut with private rooms and shared bathrooms. We’ll enjoy our final Austrian dinner, as tomorrow we hike into Italy and the Southern Tyrolean region!

• Hiking Distance: 11 mi (18 km.)
• Elevation Gain: 3300 ft. (1120 m.)
• Elevation Loss: 3400 ft. (1090 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours
• Vehicle Transfer: 45 minutes (after hike)

Krimmler Tauernhaus to Brunico

Today we leave Austria on a challenging hike through the heart of the Tirolean Alps into the Northern most part of Italy! Our route takes us up to the Birnlücke pass (8,743ft/2,665m) traversing over a tall and narrow section of the Alps. We’ll soak up all the beautiful surrounding scenery along the way: high towering peaks, hanging glaciers and steep forested valleys! We’ll finish with a descent towards Prettau and our private transfer to our night’s lodging in the town of Brunico (Brueneck) and our extra luggage. Welcome to the Italian Dolomites!

• Hiking Distance: 8.7 mi. (14 km.)
• Elevation Gain: 3445 ft. (1050 m.)
• Elevation Loss: 2526 ft. (800 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours
• Bus Transfer: 45 minutes (before hike)

Brunico to Lago di Braies

This morning starts with breakfast at the hotel and a short public bus transfer just south of the small village of San Vigilio to the start of our hike. Our path leaves a small lake and starts climbing up between two high mountain walls. Our efforts will get us to the rewarding views from Cacagnares pass. After lunch a slower easier decent takes us through lush green valleys on our way to the idyllic Lago di Braies, also known as Pragser Wildsee. Here our accommodations are located right beside this pristine lake surrounded by rocky peaks. It is a truly unforgettable location! Our private rooms tonight are in the hiker building with shared bathrooms.

• Hiking Distance: 9.3 mi (15 km.)
• Elevation Gain: 3281 ft. (1000 m.)
• Elevation Loss: 1640 ft. (500 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 5.5 hours
• Bus Transfer: 10-15 minutes

Lago di Brais to Prato Piazza

Sunrise at the lake can be a magical moment for those willing and early to rise. After another European breakfast at the hotel, we’ll set off hiking around to the far side of the lake and start climbing towards our high point of the day at the Croda del Becco pass. Crossing beneath a set of red and grey tinted peaks our views are spectacular of our mountainous surroundings and the rolling green pastures in the valley below. A descent down to Prato Piazza and a short bus transfer ends this fabulous day of hiking in the Dolomites. Our hotel tonight boasts amazing views, a wellness center and sauna for those wanting to relax and recuperate after our hike.

• Hiking Distance: 11 mi (15 km.)
• Elevation Gain: 2430 ft. (740 m.)
• Elevation Loss: 3240 ft. (988 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours
• Bus Transfer: 15 minutes
• Vehicle Transfer: 10 minutes

Prato Piazza to Lake Misurina

Today’s hike offers the group more amazing views of the Dolomites. Our hike starts by climbing up over the Strudelsattel, where we start to drop down into the Landro Valley before crossing into the Rienza Valley. After a short climb we’ll reach the head of the Rin Bianco Valley and start down this scenic stretch of trail until ending our hike. Today’s hike will take us all the way to our accommodations for the next two nights near the shores of Lake Misurina.

• Hiking Distance: 8.7 mi (14 km.)
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 2460 ft. (750 m.)
• Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours
• Bus Transfer: 15 minutes

Tour of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo

During our hike today, we explore possibly the most iconic area or the Dolomites, Tre Cime di Lavarado. A short public bus transfer from the hotel takes us to the Auronzo refuge and the start of our final hike. Today is all about jaw dropping views as we hike through a sea of rock towers, pinnacles and peaks. We start out by climbing toward the popular Laveredo pass. From here we’ll descend toward the beautiful mountain lakes of Cengia before climbing another pass with panoramic views. The final stretch of our day walks beneath the famous towering peaks that this area is named for and a perfect way to celebrate our time hiking together. Another short bus transfer will get us back to our hotel near Lake Misurina and dinner together. What a hike it has been, next stop Venice!

• Vehicle Transfer: 2.5 hours

Lake Misurina to Venice

We’ll have a relaxed morning before meeting after breakfast to catch our private transfer to Venice. Today is all about exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site. After arrival to Venice we’ll walk from where we are dropped off to our hotel in the city center to drop our luggage. Check-in is not available until 2pm, but there is no lack of sites to keep us busy in this iconic Italian city. The afternoon is free for everyone to explore Venice and eat lunch according to their own schedule and desires. Our guides can help give recommendations for sightseeing highlights and restaurants. Later in the evening, we’ll meet back up in the hotel lobby to go out for our final dinner together and celebration of our Alps traverse and time together!

Venice

Today marks the end of our journey. We’ll enjoy one last breakfast together at our hotel in Venice, where we’ll say our very fond good-byes, and start dreaming of our next adventure! The hotel’s check-out time is 11am. If leaving today airport transportation is easy to obtain through multiple options: public transportation (train, bus or water taxi) or a more expensive private taxi. Your guide and/or the hotel staff will be able to help in planning any transportation needs you have.